Department for Transport

Taxis: Disabled

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that disabled people are represented on the working group on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The Task and Finish group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles was established by the then Minister of State for Transport, John Hayes, and has received submissions from a number of disability representation organisations. I look forward to receiving the group’s findings soon.

Carillion

Dame Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will (a) publish the Government's contracts with Carillion for all works relating or connected to High Speed Two and (b) place copies of those contracts in the Library.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: HS2 Ltd has no direct contract with Carillion. The contract is with the CEK Joint Venture which is commercially sensitive. The CEK joint venture has provided HS2 Ltd with assurances that in the event any member of the group being unable to deliver on its responsibilities, the remaining members, now Eiffage and Kier, would fill the gap.

Carillion

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the criteria his Department used to award construction contracts for High Speed Two to Carillion plc in July 2017; and what due diligence his Department undertakes before awarding contracts to companies that have issued profit warnings.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: No, the criteria used to evaluate and award construction contracts for HS2 ltd are commercially confidential. The Department undertakes due diligence in advance of the award of contracts. HS2 Ltd carried out additional due diligence and sought re-assurance of both it and its two partners in the Joint Venture, Kier and Eiffage, that they remained committed and able to deliver the contracts. Each company's Boards have both given that assurance and confirmed that they underwrite the performance of each other in delivering the contract. Following additional checks, HS2 Ltd are also confident that, even without Carillion, Kier and Eiffage would still be capable of passing the relevant financial capability and standing tests.

Carillion

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what rail improvement contracts Carillion plc holds in (a) the North East, (b) the North West and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber.

Joseph Johnson: We can confirm that Carillion held a number of contracts with our agencies, including Network Rail and Highways England. Following the news that Carillion has entered administration, we are working closely with these organisations to ensure that any impact on transport projects is kept to a minimum.

Buses: West Midlands

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the average age of service vehicles in the West Midlands.

Jesse Norman: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) holds technical records for public service vehicles (PSV) which includes the date of manufacture and the date of first registration.

Carillion: Electrification

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the implications of the collapse of Carillion plc on (a) the current rail electrification works between Blackpool and Preston and (b) the continuation of line improvements between Blackpool and Manchester.

Joseph Johnson: My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State met with Network Rail yesterday morning and he received assurances that work would continue on Network Rail’s projects. My Rt Hon Friend was obviously concerned about workers on rail projects continuing to be paid and we and Network Rail are working with the official receiver and other stakeholders on that. Our aim is that key work and projects can be moved to other suppliers with minimal disruption, including to rail passengers. Network Rail’s Manchester to Preston and Blackpool railway upgrades, a key part of the Great North Rail Project, are continuing. Note that Carillion were not directly involved with the Blackpool to Preston electrification. Updates on the progress of specific projects will be provided where appropriate in due course.

Unmanned Air Vehicles: Crime

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Written Statement of 27 November 2017, HCWS269, how many crimes or recorded incidents involved drones flying above 400 feet in 2017.

Jesse Norman: Airprox data for incidents where drones have been reported as coming into proximity with other aircraft in 2017 shows that 83 of the 92 incidents captured occurred above 400ft. The full data for 2017 will be appearing on the Airprox website on 26th January 2018. As we set out on 27 November 2017 (WMS HCWS269), the Department for Transport is reviewing the case for a potential restriction of all drones flying above 400ft, as well as restricting the use of drones within the proximity of an airport. Subject to the outcome of these reviews, the Department will look to include these measures in an ANO amendment in Spring 2018.

Severn River Crossing

Jessica Morden: What assessment he has made of the effect on road users of the Severn Bridges being taken into public ownership.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: Road users will have noticed no difference following the switch of operation from Severn River Crossings PLC to public ownership and Highways England management on 8 January 2018, except for the reduction in cost. VAT has already been scrapped and there will be no charges at all by the end of the year.

Railways: Kettering

Mr Philip Hollobone: If the Rail Minister will meet the Kettering Rail Users Group.

Joseph Johnson: I would be delighted to meet representatives from the Kettering rail users group, and my hon. Friend.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Luke Graham: What assessment he has made of the potential benefits of High Speed Two for the Midlands and the north.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: HS2 will help transform the UK economy, directly creating 25,000 new jobs - 70 percent of which will be outside of London. It will directly link 8 of the UK’s 10 largest cities and provide a step change in the country’s railway capacity. The Government regularly assesses the benefits of HS2 through the economic and strategic business cases.

HM Treasury

Autumn Budget 2017

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made about the financial effect of Autumn Budget 2017 on (a) women and (b) people with protected characteristics.

Elizabeth Truss: The government is committed to building an economy that works for everyone and supporting people with protected characteristics. For example, we have increased the personal allowance and the National Living Wage; by 2018-19, over 700,000 women will be taken out of income tax altogether, and over 60% of those currently benefitting from the National Living Wage are women. The proportion of women in work is at a joint record high, and the gender pay gap for full-time employees is at a record low. The government is also spending over £50bn per year on benefits to support disabled people and people with health conditions. In line with the Government’s legal responsibilities and policy commitment to promote fairness, the Treasury and other Government departments fully comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty, including with respect to all publication requirements.

Children: Day Care

Tracy Brabin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 15 January 2018, HCWS401, on Tax-Free Childcare, for what reason the number of users of 30-hours of childcare does not match the number released by the Department for Education in its Management information on the number of 30 hours free childcare codes issued and validated for the spring term 2018.

Tracy Brabin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of users have experienced technical glitches when using the Childcare Choices website since its creation.

Elizabeth Truss: The Written Ministerial Statement of 15 January 2018 (HCWS401) gave the number of parents who had a live childcare account for 30 hours free childcare. The Department for Education’s Management Information release gives the number of children for whom a 30 hours free childcare code had been validated for the spring term. The full methodology for calculating DfE’s spring codes is set out in their statistical release, which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/673119/30-hours_childcare_management_information_stats-_Jan_2018.pdf Whilst the majority of parents use the childcare service with no problem, some parents have experienced issues and HMRC have apologised to those parents.Many of the issues experienced by parents are intermittent and may affect customers in different ways.Currently, on a typical day, fewer than 2% of parents see an error screen at some point.Some parents receive a delayed eligibility response. At present this is less than 1% of current applicants.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Renewable Energy

Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies of the findings of the Bloomberg New Energy Finance study, Beyond the tipping point: flexibility gaps in future high-renewable energy systems in the UK, Germany and the Nordics.

Richard Harrington: The Department takes into account a wide range of information and evidence in setting the Government’s energy policies, and we welcome this and other recent reports on the renewables sector. Our recent Clean Growth Strategy sets out policies and proposals for continuing to expand the low carbon electricity sector. In addition, our Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan outlines a range of measures that the Government, Ofgem and industry are taking to enable the transition to a smarter, more flexible energy system.

Tidal Power: Swansea Bay

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Stragety, when the Government plans to respond to the First Minister of Wales' request for a statement on the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and the Hendry Report.

Richard Harrington: In coming to any decision on the role of tidal lagoons in the UK’s energy mix, the Government needs to consider how a programme of tidal lagoons would deliver against our priorities, as set out in the Clean Growth Strategy and the Industrial Strategy, of reducing emissions and protecting UK businesses and households from high energy costs. This will ensure that the response to the Hendry Review takes into account the best interests of the UK as a whole and represents value for money for the UK taxpayer and consumer. A Government response to the Hendry Review will be published in due course.

Energy: Finance

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much money was paid by the Government to (a) electricity transmission, (b) electricity distribution and (c) gas distribution companies in each of the last four years.

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much money has been returned to Government by the electricity transmission, electricity distribution and gas distribution companies in each of the last four years.

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much money has been returned to consumers by (a) electricity transmission, (b) electricity distribution and (c) gas distribution companies in each of the last four years.

Richard Harrington: Great Britain’s electricity and gas transmission and distribution networks are operated by private companies regulated by the independent energy regulator Ofgem in order to ensure that they deliver a safe, reliable network whilst investing for the future and providing value for money for customers.The regulation process, including the setting of price controls which determines revenue allowances for network companies, is a matter for Ofgem and, by law, must be carried out independently of Government.Ofgem estimates that the design of the current price control (which started in 2013 for electricity transmission and gas distribution and 2015 for electricity distribution), together with voluntary returns by network companies, is expected to secure additional savings of £4.5bn for consumers during the course of the price control. Ofgem is continuing to engage with network companies to identify further savings and has warned them to prepare for tougher price controls in the future.

Redundancy Pay

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the extent of the practice of insolvent companies failing to pay redundancy payments to staff they have dismissed.

Andrew Griffiths: The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has made the relevant statutory payments from the National Insurance Fund under the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996 to the former employees of insolvent employers, as listed below: In the year 2016 – 2017 Number of claims from employees received: 63,589Number of insolvent cases: 6,994Total amount paid: £250,846,496Of which were:Redundancy, arrears of pay and holiday pay: £179,898,774Compensatory Notice Pay: £46,955,219Protective Awards: £20,333,935Pension payments: £3,933,676 For the year to date (up until end of December 2017)Number of claims from employees received: 45,784Number of insolvent cases: 4,940Total amount paid: £187,577,458Of which were:Redundancy, arrears of pay and holiday pay: £140,026,948Compensatory Notice Pay: £33,697,391Protective Awards: £12,931,388Pension payments: £2,992,746

Redundancy Pay: Conditions of Employment

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to protect employees from losing their statutory redundancy pay as a result of a company restructuring.

Andrew Griffiths: The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will act as state guarantor and make the relevant payment for those employees who have been made redundant and whose employers are unwilling or unable to pay the statutory amounts owed to the employees. Protection for the employees is afforded under the provisions of section 166 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 and payments are made from the National Insurance Fund.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Libya: Elections

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on preparations for forthcoming Presidential elections in Libya.

Alistair Burt: The UK fully supports the UN Action Plan for Libya set out at the UN General Assembly by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ghassan Salamé, and endorsed in the Security Council's Presidential Statement of 14 December 2017. The Action Plan envisages negotiations on limited amendments to the Libya Political Agreement, a National Conference, preparations for elections and the provision of humanitarian assistance where it is needed in Libya. The UK supports the Special Representative's emphasis on the importance of ensuring that elections, when they happen, are preceded by the necessary political, legislative and security preparations.

Greek Islands: Refugees

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on conditions in refugee camps on the Greek islands (a) Chios, (b) Kos, (c) Leros, (d) Lesbos and (e) Samos.

Sir Alan Duncan: Greek Government figures for the capacity and actual number of migrants in camps on the five Greek islands in question as of 11 January can be summarised as follows:IslandCapacity Latest populationChios8941676Kos772668Leros880617Lesvos23305492Samos7002572 We are concerned about the overcrowded conditions in many of the camps. This is partly as a result of higher than expected numbers of arrivals over the winter months. In response to the migration crisis in Greece, the UK provided 500,000 relief items such as tents, blankets and clothes, and delivered more than 1.4 million meals to vulnerable migrants and refugees. The UK's humanitarian support to Greece totalled £39 million between 2015 and 2017.

China: Organs

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will respond to Early Day Motion 677 on the Falun Gong and harvesting organs.

Mark Field: We remain deeply concerned by and condemn all restrictions placed on freedom of religion or belief in China, including on practitioners of Falun Gong. At the UK/China Human Rights dialogue on 27 June 2017 we discussed our concerns about restrictions placed on Falun Gong practitioners with the Chinese authorities. Furthermore, at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in June 2017, the UK's statement highlighted our concerns about restrictions placed on religious freedoms in China.The UK is concerned by any allegations that involuntary organ removal is taking place in China, and suggestions that minority and religious groups are being specifically targeted. However, it is our analysis that the evidence available to us, at this time, does not substantiate claims of systemic organ harvesting in China. We have raised this issue directly with the Chinese authorities and my officials continue to scrutinise new evidence on this issue.

Tunisia: Protest

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of recent and ongoing protests in Tunisia for the political stability of that country.

Boris Johnson: I have been closely following the situation in Tunisia. I am of course concerned at the reports of violence and looting that occurred at some protests last week. But the vast majority of protesters, thousands of ordinary Tunisians, demonstrated peacefully, including on the anniversary of the country’s 2011 revolution, on 14 January. Addressing the issues underlying the Tunisian people’s concerns - unemployment, economic opportunity and regional disparities - through investment and economic reform, is the best way to ensure stability. The UK will continue to support Tunisia in doing so.

Tunisia: Protest

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Tunisia on the arrest and detention of participants in recent and ongoing protests in that country.

Boris Johnson: The Tunisian Ministry of Interior has stated that several hundred people were arrested for instances of violence and looting of property during the protests, and that many of these people have since been released. The right to peaceful protest is enshrined in the Tunisian Constitution and, where arrests have been made, we encourage Tunisia to ensure that the response by security forces is proportionate and the subsequent judicial processes in line with the rule of law and international obligations.

Tunisia: Protest

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received on the intimidation and harassment of journalists covering recent and ongoing protests in Tunisia.

Boris Johnson: I am aware of reports that some journalists covering the protests there were questioned by police. I am concerned by such reports since ensuring freedom of the press is vital, especially for a young democracy like Tunisia.

Palestinians: Religious Freedom

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the level of religious freedom in the Palestinian Territories; and what steps the Government is taking to promote and protect the right to freedom of religion or belief in that country.

Alistair Burt: While we have not made a recent assessment of this issue, freedom of religion and belief remains a human rights priority for this Government. It is a fundamental freedom which underpins many other human rights. Our Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly meets a variety of religious leaders in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and has stressed to the Palestinian Authority the importance of protecting freedom of religion and belief.

Cabinet Office

Civil Servants: Migrant Workers

Tom Brake: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans his Department has to (a) collect information on the number of non-UK EU and EEA nationals working in each civil service department and (b) assess the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on civil service employment.

Oliver Dowden: The Civil Service does not routinely collect information on the nationality of civil servants and there are currently no plans to collect information on the number of non-UK EU and EEA nationals working in each Civil Service department.The Cabinet Office will continue to work with DExEU and the Home Office to ensure that the Civil Service Nationality Rules continue to be operable as broader legislative decisions are made.

Big Ben

Patrick Grady: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had discussions with the House of Commons Commission about making arrangements for Big Ben to chime to mark the UK's departure from the EU.

Mr David Lidington: There are currently no arrangements for Big Ben to chime to mark the UK’s departure from the EU.

Carillion

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2017 to Question 115281, if he will place in the Library of the House of Commons every risk assessment relating to Government contracts secured by Carillion since January 2015.

Oliver Dowden: Risk assessments for individual contracts are carried out by and held by the relevant Contracting Authorities. As these contain commercially sensitive information that could impact other suppliers we do not publish them.

Carillion

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many live contracts Government Departments and agencies have with Carillion, including all Carillion’s subsidiary companies.

Oliver Dowden: There were around 450 public sector contracts with the company. Some are direct contracts, some are joint ventures, PFIs and sub-contracts. Public sector contracts with Carillion include services for hospitals, schools, armed forces, prisons and transport.

Carillion

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to every contract that the Government currently has with Carillion and its subsidiary companies: (a) when the contract was awarded; (b) which Department or agency awarded the contract; (c) how much the contract is worth; and (d) whether the contract is a joint venture.

Oliver Dowden: Government contracted with Carillion include services for hospitals, schools, prisons and transport. Carillion delivered around 450 contracts with government, representing 38 percent of Carillion’s 2016 reported revenue, but these were not the cause of the company's present financial difficulties.

Carillion

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Oral Answer to the Honourable Member for Ogmore of 15 January, 2018, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that local authorities are reimbursed for costs incurred by continuing services that were provided by Carillion.

Oliver Dowden: The Government’s top priority is to safeguard the continuity of public services. We have been working with the Local Government Association (LGA) who have been supporting the local authorities to develop contingency plans. We will continue to work with the LGA and support local authorities as required.

Cabinet Office: Carillion

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2017 to Question 111278, on Cabinet Office procurement, whether he now has an estimate of the value on contracts awarded to Carillion.

Oliver Dowden: Cabinet Office awarded no contracts to Carillion in the last year.

Department of Health and Social Care

Arthritis

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what mechanisms have been put in place to identify accurately the number of individuals diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis within the NHS in England.

Steve Brine: Improving Lives - The Work, Health and Disability Green Paper, published on 31 October 2016, sets out the Government’s commitment to work with NHS England to identify opportunities for regular collection of data about incidence, prevalence, clinical activity and outcomes of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and services in England. The Government’s Mandate to NHS England reiterated this commitment. On 30 November 2017, the Government published Improving Lives - The Future of Work, Health and Disability in response to the Green Paper. This builds on the commitment to identify opportunities for routine data collection about MSK incidence, prevalence, clinical activity, and outcomes. The report outlined that a data advisory group, led by Arthritis Research UK, has been examining the issue. On 1 December 2017, the advisory group presented its recommendations to NHS England, which is currently considering the appropriate next steps. Improving Lives - The Future of Work, Health and Disability can be found at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-lives-the-future-of-work-health-and-disability

Breast Cancer: Artificial Intelligence

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department uses artificial intelligence to spot breast Cancer.

Steve Brine: We are aware of a study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology into Artificial Intelligence (AI) in diagnosing breast cancer in women. Modern digital pathology techniques have created the opportunity to produce AI-based algorithms that could provide grading of tumours and prognostic insights that are not currently available through conventional methodology. However, the future availability of any new or novel tests on the National Health Service would be subject to large scale clinical trials demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the diagnostic approach and subsequent assessments of its cost effectiveness for routine use. Through its technology appraisal programme, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides authoritative, evidence-based guidance for the NHS on whether drugs and other treatments represent an effective use of NHS resources. NHS commissioners are legally required to fund drugs and treatments recommended by NICE within three months of final guidance.

Slaughterhouses: Inspections

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2017 to Question 118905, on Slaughterhouses: Inspections, how many establishments in each group of those audit results received (a) improvement necessary and (b) urgent improvement necessary audit results.

Steve Brine: Due to the way the data are gathered and extracted from the system, the numbers below detail the number of audits with unsatisfactory outcomes, rather than the number of establishments with unsatisfactory outcomes. That means that one establishment might have received more than one unsatisfactory outcome during the period accounted for. The data below are for England and Wales. From August 2014 to December 2017- Improvement necessary Slaughterhouses (including slaughterhouses with co-located cutting plants and wild game establishments)2014 – 292015 – 552016 – 452017 – 41 Others (Cutting Plants)2014 – 172015 – 362016 – 362017 – 39From August 2014 to December 2017- Urgent Improvement necessary Slaughterhouses (including slaughterhouses with co-located cutting plants and wild game establishments)2014 – 72015 – 52016 – 52017 – 7 Others (Cutting Plants)2014 – 12015 – 52016 – 12017 – 8

Slaughterhouses: Inspections

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2017 to Question 118905, on Slaughterhouses: Inspections, how many (a) slaughterhouses and (b) other meat establishments have received unsatisfactory audit results in each year since 2010.

Steve Brine: The Food Standards Agency audit system was updated in August 2014, changing significantly the categorisations of each question being assessed and the audit outcomes. The results presented below have been split in two sections to accommodate the differences between these two periods. In addition, due to the way the data are gathered and extracted from the system, the numbers below detail the number of audits with unsatisfactory outcomes, rather than the number of establishments with unsatisfactory outcomes. That means that one establishment might have received more than one unsatisfactory outcome during the period accounted for. The data below are for England and Wales. From 2010 to July 2014 In this section audits leading to a re-audit within two months have been considered as unsatisfactory leading to immediate intervention being required.Slaughterhouses (including slaughterhouses with co-located cutting plants and wild game establishments)2010 – 112011 – 42012 – 202013 – 232014 – 8 Others (Cutting Plants)2010 – 42011 – 02012 – 52013 – 12014 – 2 From August 2014 to December 2017 In this section audits with Urgent Improvement Necessary outcome have been considered as unsatisfactory leading to immediate intervention being required.Slaughterhouses (including slaughterhouses with co-located cutting plants and wild game establishments)2014 – 72015 - 52016 - 52017 - 7 Others (Cutting Plants)2014 – 12015 - 52016 - 12017 - 8

Prescription Drugs

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many prescriptions for (a) benzodiazepines, (b) z drugs and (c) antidepressants were issued in the last year.

Steve Brine: The information is not available for the year requested. 2017 Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) data will be available in March 2018. Data for 2016 is shown in the table below. Number of prescription items for benzodiazepines, z drugs and antidepressants written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in the community in England, 2016. GroupItemsbenzodiazepines10,004,374z drugs6,351,983antidepressant drugs BNF 4.364,703,568Source: PCA

Prescription Drugs

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many licences for the manufacture or supply of (a) benzodiazepines (b) z drugs and (c) antidepressants have been issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the last year.

Steve Brine: The numbers of licences (marketing authorisations) for the manufacture or supply of benzodiazepines z drugs and antidepressants issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the last year (2017) are: Benzodiazepines: six licencesZ-drugs: six licencesAntidepressants: 33 licences

Allied Health Professions: Departmental Responsibilities

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which member of his ministerial team will have responsibility for the allied health professions.

Caroline Dinenage: I am the Minister responsible for the allied health professions.

Pharmacy

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will introduce a national minor ailments scheme as part of the Pharmacy Integration Fund, and if he will make a statement.

Steve Brine: Minor ailment services are commissioned locally by the National Health Service according to need. The purpose of the Pharmacy Integration Fund (PhIF) is to try out and evaluate new ways of integrating pharmacists and community pharmacy into the wider health care system. National commissioning of NHS pharmaceutical services is arranged through the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework. In December 2017, under the PhIF, NHS England commenced a pilot urgent minor illness care pathway of direct referral from NHS 111 to community pharmacy. The outcome of this pilot will inform future commissioning decisions.

Social Services

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his policy is on the use of patient support programmes in the NHS.

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what analysis his Department has conducted  of the potential merits of patient support programmes in the NHS for (a) patient welfare, (b) patient safety, and (c) cost savings.

Jackie Doyle-Price: NHS England recognises patient support programmes, including patient groups, have an important role to play as advocates and in the process, provide peer to peer support for patients. Patient groups are actively involved in NHS England’s programme of work to support implementation of its commissioning framework. NHS England is committed to continuing a collaborative working relationship with patient groups and recognises the important role they will play in supporting patients.

Radiography

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his announcement of 5 December 2017, that the NHS will employ 300 additional radiologists in connection with the Cancer Workforce Plan, whether any of those positions will be for interventional neuroradiologists trained to perform procedures including mechanical thrombectomy.

Steve Brine: Health Education England (HEE) published the Cancer Workforce Plan in December 2017 and set out that HEE will invest in 300 reporting radiographers and 668 more clinical radiologists by 2021. At this stage and until training has been commenced it is not known how many of the radiology positions will be taken up by the subspecialty of interventional neuroradiology.

Department of Health and Social Care: Carers

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has a carer's policy for its employees; and what other steps his Department has taken to support employees with caring responsibilities.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department has a carers policy for staff who work in the Department. The Department recognises that care responsibilities are not static and is committed to supporting staff who have caring responsibilities away from the workplace. The caring commitments of staff may be long or short term. Other steps taken to support employees with caring responsibilities: The Department has a number of provisions available to its staff including paid special leave; emergency carer leave; unpaid career breaks. The Department operates a recently updated flexible working policy which can support those with caring responsibilities by giving some degree of flexibility on how, where and when employees work. It includes a range of working patterns including: part-time, job share, remote/ home working, compressed hours, part-year, annual hours and flexi-time. It also outlines support to managers on how to have conversations about flexible working. It also makes it clear to staff how they can raise a request or initiate a conversation. On the Departmental intranet site there are links to relevant sources of support and useful websites. Special events are publicised on the intranet including the campaign to help carers by the Charity for Civil Servants which was launched on ‘Carer’s rights day’ last November. The Department launched an employee assistance programme in October 2017, which gives all staff access to confidential, independent, professional information, counselling and emotional support. During Carers Week in June 2017, the Department highlighted a number of ways that carers could receive support including the carers passport provided by the Charity for Civil Servants.

NHS: Negligence

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much his Department has spent from the public purse on legal fees excluding sums relating to clinical malpractice in each year since 2012.

Caroline Dinenage: The question has been interpreted as relating to the core Department. The Department has separately identified expenditure on legal fees in its accounts from the 2014-15 financial year. For earlier financial years, expenditure on legal fees was included in ‘other’ expenditure, and cannot be separately identified. Expenditure on legal fees is not analysed by the purpose of the fees, and it is therefore not possible to exclude any amounts relating to clinical malpractice. The total expenditure incurred by the Department on legal fees is as follows: YearTotal legal fees (£000s)2014-1518,2662015-1619,7712016-1729,485

Department of Health and Social Care: Procurement

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much has been spent by his Department from the public purse on legal fees in relation to tendering and awarding contracts in each year since 2012.

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much has been spent by his Department from the public purse on legal fees from external legal firms in each year since 2012.

Caroline Dinenage: The following table shows the amount spent on external legal fees in each year since 2012: Financial year2012-132013-142014-152015-162016-17External legal fees£9,863,377£9,067,828£5,281,455£12,231,057£3,863,217 Information on the legal fees related to tendering and awarding contracts cannot be separately identified from the general data on legal fees held by the Department.

Mental Health Services

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timetable is for the Government to appoint a mental health equalities champion as recommended in the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government is committed to addressing inequalities across mental health. Plans to appoint a mental health equalities champion will be announced in due course.

Social Services

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of care packages that were commissioned by Local Authorities in each year since 2010.

Caroline Dinenage: The table below shows the number of people receiving care packages for the period 2010/11 to 2013/14. During year2010/112011/122012/132013/14Total1,574,5901,462,2901,327,9101,273,280 The method of collecting data around users of social care changed in 2014/15. The table below provides the figures for 2014/15 onwards which are published by NHS Digital. During year2014/152015/162016/17Completed Short Term Care Episodes253,000245,270241,810Long Term Care Users885,000873,000868,440 The figures above show that there has been a reduction in local authority social care user numbers over the time period requested. Local authorities have shifted their focus towards preventing people needing formal packages of care hence the drop in user numbers. All councils have statutory duties to look after their vulnerable elderly and disabled people. The Care Act 2014 introduced national eligibility criteria for access to adult social care that local authorities are required to meet.

Dementia

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to make available data about delayed transfers of care involving people with dementia for the last five years.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to make available data for each condition on delayed transfers of care for the last five years.

Caroline Dinenage: NHS England publishes monthly data on the number of delayed transfers of care. The latest data is for November 2017 and is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/delayed-transfers-of-care/ There are currently no plans to collect patient condition specific data about delayed transfers of care.

Eating Disorders

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman’s report, Ignoring the alarms: how eating disorder services are failing patients, HC 634, published on 6 December 2017, when (a) his Department, (b) NHS England and (c) NHS Improvement plan to make a formal response to the recommendations of that report.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government takes seriously the report of the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman (PHSO) ‘Ignoring the alarms: how NHS eating disorder services are failing patients’. Following on from the publication of the report the Department will work with partner organisations and arm’s length bodies, including NHS England, and NHS Improvement to consider how the recommendations can be taken into account as part of the planned improvements to mental health and eating disorder services. NHS England is considering the recommendations within the PHSO’s report and will be responding fully in due course to both the PHSO and the family of the patient concerned. The response will outline a proposed set of actions around reviewing provision of adult eating disorder services and the question of parity of adult services with children and young people services. Their formal response to the recommendations of the report will include our plans to review existing levels of geographical variation and the scope to address as part of future improvements to adult eating disorder services.

Mentally Disordered Offenders

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of women and men detained under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 who were the primary carers of children in 2016-17.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The information requested is not collected.

Eating Disorders

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 16 of the report of the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman, Ignoring the alarms: how NHS eating disorder services are failing patients, HC 634, published on 6 December 2017, what steps he plans to take to tackle the significant geographical variation that report identifies in access to good quality specialist adult eating disorders services.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government takes seriously the report of the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman ‘Ignoring the alarms: how NHS eating disorder services are failing patients’. Following on from the publication of the ombudsman’s report the Department will now work with our partner organisations and arm’s length bodies, including NHS England, to consider how the recommendations can be taken into account as part of the planned improvements to mental health and eating disorder services. NHS England is currently developing a pathway for adults with eating disorders and working with healthcare professionals so they better understand eating disorders – the case investigated by the ombudsman’s report will be considered as part of this. With regard to the specific recommendation for the development of benchmarking guidance for adult eating disorder services and measuring success against this, NHS England is considering the recommendations within the report and will respond with an outline of proposed set of actions around reviewing provision of adult eating disorder services and the question of parity of adult services with children and young people’s services. NHS England’s response will include their plans to review existing levels of geographical variation and the scope to address these as part of future improvements to adult eating disorder services.

Clinical Trials

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the Government has made of the effect of the UK no longer having access to the EU portal and database through which all European clinical research is processed and stored after the UK leaves the EU.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government values the strong collaborative partnerships that we have across the European Union in the areas of science, research and innovation, and as part of Exit negotiations is working to ensure that we have the best possible environment in which to support clinical trials and new medicines after we leave the EU. All clinical trials of investigational medicinal products in the EU are registered and information on the trial and a summary of results is made public in in the EU clinical trials register, except for adult phase one trials which are considered commercially confidential. This information is publicly available now and similar to information that will be publicly available in the new European Medicines Agency clinical trials IT system. In the United Kingdom, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Health Research Authority, ethics services, National Institute for Health Research and National Health Service have been working towards implementation of the new European Clinical Trials Regulation (CTR) since it was agreed in 2014. The application date of the CTR across the EU will be set by the European Commission. The current regulatory approval legislation, portals and databases will stay in place until such time as any changes are needed so there will be no interruption in UK clinical trials approvals.

Continuing Care

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have applied for continuing healthcare; and how many people have received such care since 2010.

Caroline Dinenage: The number of individuals who were referred for a full NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment and those who became eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare during the years from 2014/15 to 2016/17 is shown in the table below: YearNumber Agreed EligibleNumber of Referrals Recieved2014/1596,691153,8832015/16100,960160,1512016/17103,902165,365 NHS England does not have the same data for the years prior to 2014/15.

Arrowe Park Hospital: Accident and Emergency Departments

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time was for A&E at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral in each year since 2010.

Stephen Barclay: This information is not available in the format requested. NHS Digital publishes monthly accident and emergency (A&E) Clinical Quality Indicators (CQIs) that include the ‘Time to treatment of all A&E attendances’ at trust level rather than by individual hospital. The data for the most recent reporting month, November 2017, is available via the link below: https://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB30186 Data is also available on the NHS Digital website for months since the A&E CQIs were first published in April 2011.

NHS: Migrant Workers

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to retain EU nationals working in the NHS.

Stephen Barclay: The Government hugely values the contribution of all the EU27 nationals working in the National Health Service. The Prime Minister has publicly reassured all European Union citizens who have chosen to make their homes and livelihoods in the United Kingdom, that she wants them to stay. Furthermore, the agreement announced on 8 December 2017 between the UK and the EU Commission safeguarded the rights of people who have built their lives in the UK and EU, following the UK’s exit from the EU. NHS Improvement is leading a programme of work to improve staff retention in trusts across England. The latest figures from NHS Digital show that there were almost 3,300 more EU nationals - including almost 500 more doctors - working in the NHS in September 2017 than before the referendum result.

Wales Office

Wales Office: Carers

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether his Department has a carer's policy for its employees; and what other steps his Department has taken to support employees with caring responsibilities.

Stuart Andrew: The Wales Office is not an employer in its own right; our staff are employed under Ministry of Justice contracts. We therefore follow the carer policy commitments of the Ministry of Justice. The Wales Office offers supportive inclusive practices for staff with caring responsibilities which include special leave and flexible working options tailored to individual needs; access to a carers’ network; and provision of advice and counselling through the Employee Assistance Programme.

Wales Office: Electric Vehicles

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many vehicles in his Department's fleet are (a) electric vehicles and (b) ultra-low emission vehicles.

Stuart Andrew: None. The Wales Office does not own or lease any vehicles.

Apprentices: Wales

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if his Department will ensure that the number of apprenticeships funded in Wales through EU funding programmes is matched by the number of apprenticeships funded in Wales under the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Alun Cairns: Our manifesto committed to creating a UK Shared Prosperity Fund and work is ongoing across Government to consider how best this can be achieved. As per our commitment, we will of course consult the Welsh Government and other stakeholders across Wales and the UK at the earliest possible opportunity.

Wales Office: Ministerial Powers

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many ministerial directions were issued to his Department in (a) 2015, (b) 2016 and (c) 2017.

Alun Cairns: None.

Department for Education

Children: Social Services

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which local authorities children's services departments are exempt from statutory guidance; what those exemptions are; and what steps his Department takes to monitor and review those exemptions.

Nadhim Zahawi: Six local authorities are currently exempt from statutory guidance. These are: Hackney;Hammersmith & Fulham;Hartlepool;Kensington & Chelsea;Wandsworth; andWestminster.  These local authorities are testing a more flexible assessment process with the aim of delivering improved outcomes and focussed interventions for children and families. Each local authority is subject to conditions including if any concerns arise about the safety of children, the flexibility may be withdrawn. These exemptions relate to the following timescales from ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ statutory guidance:45 working days for completion of social work assessments;15 working days between the strategy discussion and the initial child protection conference; and10 working days from the initial child protection conference to the first core group meeting if a child becomes the subject of a child protection plan.Exemption from these timescales allow for local authority innovation in service delivery and empower social workers and their managers to determine the complex balance between ‘thoroughness and depth’ and the ‘timeliness and proportionality’ of each assessment.These trials were instigated post the 2011 Munro Review of Child Protection.All local authorities are monitored through regular Ofsted inspection regimes.

Schools: West Midlands

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) primary and (b) secondary age children in (i) the West Midlands and (ii) Coventry who attend a school rated (A) outstanding and (B) good by Ofsted.

Nick Gibb: Ofsted inspection data shows that in the West Midlands 16% of pupils were in outstanding primary schools and 72% in good primary schools as at August 31, 2017. In Coventry, 6% of pupils were in outstanding primary schools, and 90% in good primary schools as at August 31, 2017. Ofsted inspection data shows that in the West Midlands 25% of pupils were in outstanding secondary schools and 55% in good secondary schools as at August 31, 2017. In Coventry, 28% of pupils were in outstanding secondary schools, and 47% in good secondary schools as at August 31, 2017. Ofsted’s latest statistics are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/maintained-schools-and-academies-inspections-and-outcomes-as-at-31-august-2017.

Pre-school Education: West Midlands

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of children in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Coventry who are (i) eligible and (ii) not eligible for free school meals have achieved school readiness standards at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage in each year since 2015.

Nadhim Zahawi: The data requested is published in table 6 of the additional tables by pupil characteristics within the ‘Early years foundation stage profile results: 2016 to 2017’ statistical first release: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2016-to-2017.

Carillion

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to (a) draw up contingency plans and (b) identify alternative suppliers to provide public services to schools in (i) Oxfordshire and (ii) England that are currently provided by Carillion.

Nick Gibb: Our priority is to ensure schools can continue to operate as usual. Government is supporting the Official Receiver, so that services to schools and other public services can continue to be delivered. We have planned extensively for this and have been working with local authorities (including Oxfordshire), and academy trusts to make sure robust contingency plans were in place, if required. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will work with schools to help minimise any disruption for pupils. Carillion continues to provide the services under current contracts. The initial focus of the Official Receiver, supported by the Special Manager, will be on preserving public services. The future of individual services will be addressed in due course and schools and other customers will be kept informed.

Children: Social Services

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average cost was to a local authority of preparing for and supporting Ofsted in conducting the Single Inspection Framework for Children's Services in 2017.

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what duty is placed on inspectors under the Single Inspection Framework for Local Authority Children's Services to (a) observe social workers in practice and (b) speak with (i) children, (ii) parents and (iii) carers inclusive of foster carers.

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether an external evaluation has been completed on the Single Inspection Framework for local authority children's services departments; and if he will make a statement.

Nadhim Zahawi: This is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to you and a copy of her reply will be placed in the libraries of the House.

Free School Meals

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 14 December to Question 118739, on Pupil Premium, what steps his Department is taking to make the free school meal registration process more efficient.

Nadhim Zahawi: We want to make it as simple as possible for schools and local authorities to determine eligibility for free school meals (FSM). We know that take up for FSM is already high – but we want to make sure that as many eligible children as possible are claiming their FSM. In addition to the actions set out in answer to 118739, on 14 December 2017, we provide an electronic Eligibility Checking System. This allows local authorities to check quickly data held by the Department for Work and Pensions, the Home Office and HM Revenue and Customs to establish FSM eligibility. We have also recently consulted on eligibility for FSM under Universal Credit. In that consultation, we stated our intention to continue to look at what the most effective schools do to encourage FSM registration, and highlight and disseminate best practice from these schools and local authorities for other schools to use. We are currently analysing responses to this consultation and will publish our government response in due course.

Office For Students: Costs

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of establishing and maintaining the Office for Students in each of the next five years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The original estimates for the cost of the Office for Students (OfS) were included in the ‘Case for Creation of the Office for Students’ (June 2016): https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/527757/bis-16-292-ofs-case-for-creation.pdf. An updated estimate of the government’s contribution for the expected operating expenses of the OfS can be found in the ‘Introducing registration fees for Office for Students Consultation Impact Assessment’ (December 2017) in Table 5: https://consult.education.gov.uk/he-landscape-reform/ofs-registration-fees-and-other-fees-stage-2/supporting_documents/OfS%20consulation%20Impact%20Assessement%20.pdf. These are estimates using a baseline of the costs for the Higher Education Funding Council for England and Office for Fair Access and are subject to ongoing review between the department and the OfS as part of annual business planning processes to ensure good value for money.

Ministry of Defence

War Widows: Pensions

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the war widow(er) pension payment rates will be for the 2018-19 financial year.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement HCWS402 dated 15 January 2018.  The war widow(er) pension payment rates for the next financial year are as follows: 2018 RATESWidow(er)s Benefitswidow(er) - other ranks (basic with children) (weekly amount)140.60widow(er) - officer higher rate (basic with children) (£ per annum)7,477.00 childless widow(er), Under age 40 (other ranks) (weekly amount)33.67widow(er)- officer lower rate (£ per annum)2,597.00supplementary pension94.05Age Allowance(a) age 65 to 6916.00(b) age 70 to 7930.80(c) age 80 and over45.70Children’s Allowancefirst child22.05subsequent children24.70Orphan’s Pensionfirst child25.25 subsequent children27.60adult orphan’s pension (maximum)108.05On 16 January 2018 they were also published on gov.uk:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/war-disablement-pension-rates-2018 



HCWS402 - War Pensions Scheme Uprating 2017
(Word Document, 19.83 KB)

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit

Bambos Charalambous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much funding has been allocated for universal support in 2016-17; how much funding for universal support has been allocated to each local authority in 2016-17; and how many people have accessed universal support.

Alok Sharma: £2.9m was allocated for Universal Support in 2016/17. The Department is unable to provide information on how much each Local Authority was allocated during that period. Individual payments to the 380 local authorities were made at varying times and have never been collated. To collate and reconcile all the data for budgeting and digital support in Universal Credit would incur disproportionate costs.The information is not held for how many people have accessed universal support in 2016/17. The Department has started collating the relevant Management Information centrally from April 2017.

Social Security Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications were made for a short term benefit advance in the most recent 12 months for which data is available; and how many of those applications were (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful.

Alok Sharma: Holding answer received on 12 January 2018



The most recently available data on Short Term Benefit Advances (STBA) is shown in the table below: January 2016 - December 2016STBA Applications Received by the Department197,514 STBA Awarded to individual national insurance numbers98,633  The data covers the period January 16 to December 16. Data after this date is not currently available. Data is also not available for unsuccessful applications and the difference between ‘received’ and ‘awarded’ applications in the table above does not equate to unsuccessful applications. This is because there are a large proportion of applications in which the primary benefit is paid, which negates the need for a STBA. Notes:Only Working Age Benefits (i.e. Employment and Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support) are included in the above information for STBA applications as the number of applications received for State Pension Credit and Carer’s Allowance is not available. Source:STBA Applications Received - Management Information System Programme (MISP). This collation is based on clerical counts submitted by the each Centre and is Internal MI which has been agreed for use in publications of Parliamentary questions and Freedom of Information requests. STBA Awarded - Benefit Expenditure Business Information system

Universal Credit: Self-employed

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason a self-employed claimant who earns less than the minimum income floor in some months but over the course of a year earns more than twelve times the minimum income floor will receive less Universal Credit than an employed person with the same annual earnings.

Alok Sharma: Holding answer received on 12 January 2018



We are aware that for many self-employed, particularly those with seasonal businesses, their earnings often fluctuate from month to month, and they need to budget and plan for this. Self-employed Universal Credit claimants are no different in this regard. Universal Credit supports people in self-employment, where self-employment is the best route for them to become financially self-sufficient. As part of that, for those claimants expected to seek work, who are gainfully self-employed and not within a year of starting their self-employment, we apply a Minimum Income Floor (MIF). This is an assumed level of monthly earnings, based on what they could expect to earn each month at the National Minimum Wage. The MIF is designed to encourage those reporting very low self-employed income to increase their monthly earnings. This means that, where a self-employed claimant’s monthly earnings are below their MIF level, the MIF level is taken into account in assessing the claimant’s monthly Universal Credit payment. For this reason, they can receive a lower amount of Universal Credit than an employed claimant earning a comparable monthly sum, but not subject to the MIF. Some self-employed claimants will respond to this by increasing their monthly earnings from self-employment, some will choose to work as an employee, and others will combine the two. All are potentially good outcomes for them, their families and the taxpayer.

Children: Maintenance

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average length of time is for her Department to close a case when a Child Maintenance Service order expires; and what targets are in place for such cases to be closed.

Kit Malthouse: We have interpreted the expiring of a Child Maintenance Service order to mean the ending of Child Maintenance liability on a Child Support Agency (CSA) case as part of our case closure process. The process to end the liabilities (stop accruing maintenance) in all Child Support Agency cases began in 2014. The Case closure process involves sending the customer 3 letters over the case closure journey to instigate, remind and confirm liability is ending, enabling the customer to make alternate arrangements over the period. . At end of liability, clients are told that their Child Support Agency child maintenance arrangement has ended. The Non Resident Parent will be told when to make a final maintenance payment and to keep paying any arrears. The Child Support Agency (CSA) will continue to collect and pay arrears payments that are made prior to the case fully closing - but regular maintenance collections and payments will stop after a 6 month fixed period. When liability has ended the case enters “arrears cleanse”. The purpose of this period (which may take up to a further 6 months) is to examine the debt balances on the case to address any anomalies and so calculate a “stable” arrears figure. This involves reviewing any suspended and deferred debt. It includes the write off of debt in circumstances covered by existing debt write off powers. A case can only close once all arrears have been cleared or collected. For those cases where the child maintenance liability ended on or after 1st April 2014 as part of this process the average length of time for the Department to close a case was 27 weeks, this is based on data up 31st September 2017. The department aims to end liability on all Child Support Agency cases by 31 December 2018. In terms of targets, the department have a clear timeline for ending liability for individual cases 6 months after selection but there time taken to actually close the case will be dependant on the arrears position and the amount of work outstanding.. Whilst there are no specific targets for the process of closing cases once liability has ended, for most cases this should be around 6 months, and the exact time will depend on case circumstances. This relates to Child Support Agency cases only, and only those cases that are subject to the case closure programme. We have no specific closure data for Child Maintenance Service (CMS) cases, and they are not part of the case closure programme.

Department for Work and Pensions: Disability

Sir Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many members of staff in her Department with complex physical and mental health disabilities requiring IT adaptations were employed in each of the last ten years for which figures are available; and how many of those employees had their employment terminated in each of those years.

Kit Malthouse: The information requested is not held centrally. Retrieval of data would be a disproportionate cost.  At the end of December 2017 the Department had 883 employees who were using accessibility software. We are unable to say when they were employed.

Universal Credit: Poverty

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will reinstate the universal credit child poverty forecast; and if she will make a statement.

Alok Sharma: Holding answer received on 16 January 2018



Tackling child poverty and disadvantage is a priority for the Government. Work is the best route out of poverty, and Universal Credit is designed to strengthen incentives for parents to move into and progress in work. However, the impact of Universal Credit cannot be considered in isolation– it is a key component of a broader strategy to move Britain to a higher wage, lower welfare, and lower tax society. This strategy includes the increase to the personal tax allowance, the introduction of the National Living Wage and the doubling of free childcare from 15 to 30 hours for working parents. Taken together, these reforms are designed to support people into employment and then enable them to progress in work and generate more income for themselves. We expect claimants to respond positively to the improved incentives Universal Credit introduces and increase their income. The previous forecast is static and, as it does not capture these dynamic effects, it is of limited value in evaluating the impact of Universal Credit on poverty. The Government therefore has no plans to reinstate it.

Department for Work and Pensions: Carers

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has a carer's policy for its employees; and what other steps her Department has taken to support employees with caring responsibilities.

Kit Malthouse: DWP has a range of support in place to help employees manage caring responsibilities with their work commitments, this provision includes: HR policies to support employees with caring responsibilities, i.e. flexible working policies, alternative working patterns, job share opportunities, career breaksA dedicated DWP carers website which provides easy access to a range of information for employees, including a Carers Toolkit, signposting to the Carers Passport, supportive external organisations and case studies from carers in DWPAccess to a DWP employee Carers Support Group and Civil Service Job Share NetworksMembership of Employers for Carers and free access to the Carers UK website and dedicated supportEmployee Assistance Programme provision and information on childcare and eldercarePromotion of the Charity for Civil Servants, For You By You, which provides a range of support services for employees, including access to their Carers Passport and practical information for carersRegular communication and advice on health and wellbeing to help staff achieve good work life balance and raise awareness of the departmental and external support availableAccess to a board level DWP Carers Champion to ensure carers’ needs are fully supported

Mortgages: Interest Payments

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what other companies were considered along with SERCO for the contract on distributing the new support for mortgage payment loans.

Kit Malthouse: The contract was awarded following an open competition for which three bids were received and evaluated. The information requested is commercially sensitive so the names of bidding companies cannot be shared.

Company Accounts: Pensions

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to update the advice of The Pensions Regulator when the Financial Reporting Council publishes its reviewed UK Stewardship Code in 2018.

Guy Opperman: It is for The Pensions Regulator (TPR) to decide what action it will take following the publication of the updated UK Stewardship Code by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). TPR consider revisions to its guidance as a part of its ongoing guidance review, while taking account of its statutory objectives including to protect member benefits and promote good administration of pension schemes.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will change the rules for the audio recording of medical assessments for employment and support allowance, personal independence payments, and universal credit to allow claimants to record assessments on digital devices.

Sarah Newton: Parliamentary questions have been previously asked on this topic including PQ 117493 and PQ 115569. Provided they give advance notice, claimants of Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit can ask for their medical assessment to be recorded and the equipment will be supplied by the provider. Claimants may also use their own equipment to audio record their face-to-face consultation provided they meet certain conditions required by DWP. To protect the individual and the healthcare professional, two copies of the recording must be created, one for the individual and one for the provider. As a complete and accurate copy of the audio recording must be provided at the end of the consultation, at the moment the only acceptable formats for recording assessments are CD and audio cassette. However we are considering how we might make the recording of assessments more easily available.

Personal Independence Payment: Email

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will provide an email address for the submission of personal independence payments claim forms and medical evidence.

Sarah Newton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his previous question UIN 121453 .

Universal Credit: Payments

Dr Philippa Whitford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance is issued to jobcentre staff on handling requests to split universal credit payments between members of a household.

Alok Sharma: Jobcentre Plus work coaches undertake a thorough and comprehensive mandatory training programme. This programme includes a module about ‘Alternative Payment Arrangements’ and the role of work coaches in identifying claimant needs.Work coaches learn about the importance of discussing ‘Personal Budgeting Support’ and financial health with claimants, and which Alternative Payment Arrangements are available for claimants who need additional help. This training helps work coaches to understand when an Alternative Payment Arrangement, such as Split Payments should be considered, and explains how to arrange for Alternative Payment Arrangements to be implemented.

Housing Benefit: Supported Housing

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost to the public purse of providing housing benefit for people in (a) short-term and (b) long-term supported housing was in the most recent 12 months for which data is available.

Kit Malthouse: The information requested is not available.

Department for Work and Pensions: Ministerial Powers

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many ministerial directions were issued to her Department in (a) 2015, (b) 2016 and (c) 2017.

Kit Malthouse: No ministerial directions were issued in my Department, in 2015, 2016 or 2017.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Ostriches

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many ostriches were registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency in (a) 2015, (b) 2016 and (c) 2017.

George Eustice: The number of new ostriches registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) from 2015, 2016 and 2017 was as follows. 20156 customers registered41 ostriches20162 customers registered6 ostriches20172 customers registered41 ostriches88 new ostriches were registered between 2015-2017 APHA has 1015 ostriches recorded in Sam (APHA livestock system) across 47 different customers.

Food Poverty: Surveys

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to include a measure on household food insecurity in the new harmonised living costs and living conditions survey.

George Eustice: Defra sponsors the Family Food module of the Living Costs and Food Survey which collects information on expenditure and purchased quantities of food. There are currently no plans to commission further questions within this module, as an experiential indicator of household food insecurity (based on US Department of Agriculture methodology) is already included in the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Food and You survey. The results are published on the FSA website (https://www.food.gov.uk/science/research-reports/ssresearch/foodandyou). The Office for National Statistics is currently reconfiguring its Household Finance Surveys (Living Costs and Food Survey, Survey of Living Conditions, Wealth and Assets Survey). This involves, in part, some questionnaire improvements and harmonisation around a core set of questions, covering demographics, economic activity, income, pensions, education, tenure and health amongst others. The individual surveys continue to focus on their particular areas of inquiry. This is part of a series of planned methodological improvements.

Food Poverty

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2017 to Question 119088, how his Department measures food insecurity.

George Eustice: The Family Food module of the Living Costs and Food Survey (LCFS) is the priority indicator of household food security. It collects information on food expenditure and purchased quantities of food. Over the past 20 years the proportion of household income spent on food by the poorest 20% of households has remained constant at around 16%. In addition, an experiential indicator of household food insecurity (based on US Department of Agriculture methodology) is currently included in the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) Food and You survey.

Home Office

Terrorism: British Nationals Abroad

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to revoke the right of return for UK-born British jihadists; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Ben  Wallace: If a UK national has another nationality the Home Secretary does have the power to remove their British citizenship and prevent them from returning if she assesses that their presence would not be conducive to the public good. However, it is prohibited under international and UK law to remove the nationality of an individual when to do so would leave them without any nationality and, in effect, stateless.Where it is not possible to deprive an individual of their British nationality and we cannot prevent their return, the individual will be investigated by the police and prosecuted where there is evidence that they have committed criminal offences. We also have a range of other powers available to protect national security. Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIMs) give the Security Service and police powers to enforce some of the most restrictive measures available in the democratic world to help manage the risk posed.Temporary Exclusion Orders (TEO) were introduced in 2015 and enable the Government to disrupt and manage the return of a British citizen who is reasonably suspected to have been involved in terrorism-related activity outside the UK. The TEO power enables the Government to impose obligations on the individual after their return to the UK, for example regular reporting to a police station or attending appointments on a de-radicalisation programme.

Overseas Students

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the findings of the recent report from the Higher Education Policy Institute on the financial contribution of overseas students and staff; and if she will review the classification of students in immigration statistics as a result of those findings.

Caroline  Nokes: The Government welcomes the contribution that international students make to the UK economy. We recognise that international students enhance our educational institutions both financially and culturally; enrich the experience of domestic students; and become important ambassadors for the United Kingdom in later life. The Government has recently commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee to undertake a study into the costs and benefits of international students.There is no limit on the number of international students who can come to the UK and there are no plans to change this. So long as students are compliant with immigration rules they should make a very limited contribution to net migration numbers.The independent Office for National Statistics is responsible for the production of the net migration statistics. In line with the internationally agreed UN definition, these statistics define a migrant as someone changing their normal place of residence for more than a year. Students are therefore included in the same way as other migrants.

Immigration: Biometrics

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether holders of a biometric residence permit can have special characters such as an apostrophe in their name recorded in those documents as is already permitted with passports.

Caroline  Nokes: We will record apostrophes and hyphens in the names printed on biometric residence permits, but only if they are also included in the name printed on their foreign passport.

Bank Services: Undocumented Migrants

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the closure of illegal immigrants' bank accounts will not affect people with a legal right to reside in the UK.

Caroline  Nokes: The Immigration Act 2016 bank account measures only apply to disqualified persons. These are known illegal migrants who are liable for removal or deportation from the UK, and the Secretary of State for the Home Department considers that they should be denied access to banking services.Legal migrants who satisfy commercial requirements for opening and operating an account will continue to have access to services.The accuracy of the disqualified person data is subject to rigorous checks by the Home Office before it is shared with banks and building societies, and a current account will only be reported to the Home Office if there is a clear data match based on the customer’s name, address and date of birth.Banks and building societies are obliged to report any matches to the Home Office. The Home Office will then carry out a secondary immigration status check and, only when instructed by the Home Office, will the bank or building society be required to take steps to prevent continued access to existing accounts.If despite all the checks a person considers they are lawfully present in the UK and that incorrect information has been provided, they can contact the Home Office so that any error in the Home Office’s records can be immediately rectified.The 2016 Act measures came into force on 30 October. As detailed in secondary legislation regulations, banks and building societies are legally required to conduct their first immigration check on all existing personal current accounts in the first calendar quarter of 2018.

Asylum: Housing

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department has plans for local authorities to provide independent oversight housing for asylum seekers.

Caroline  Nokes: The Home Office and its Providers are committed to working closely with local authorities and communities to ensure the sustainability of asylum accommodation contracts. We engage with local authorities on a regular basis and welcome their involvement in ensuring that asylum accommodation is of the required standard. The Home Office and its Providers have undertaken inspections jointly with local authorities where the local authority feels this is necessary and would be happy to continue that practice in future.

Members: Correspondence

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the email correspondence on an immigration case from the hon. Member for Aberavon dated 24 November 2017.

Caroline  Nokes: No email correspondence dated 24 November 2017 has been received from the Hon Member.The Wales and South West of England MPAM team contacted the Hon Member for Aberavon today and are now in receipt of the correspondence in question.A response to the email correspondence will be issued to the Hon Member as soon as possible.

Visas: New Businesses

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas included letters from RBS confirming the business funds available to the applicant in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas included letters from Santander confirming the business funds available to the applicant in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas included letters from HSBC confirming the business funds available to the applicant in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas included letters from Lloyd's Bank confirming the business funds available to the applicant in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas included letters from Natwest confirming the business funds available to the applicant in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas included letters from Barclays confirming the business funds available to the applicant in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas included letters from Clydesdale Bank confirming the business funds available to the applicant in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas included letters from the Bank of Scotland confirming the business funds available to the applicant in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas included letters from TSB confirming the business funds available to the applicant in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17.

Caroline  Nokes: Information relating to bank letters of Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrants may be recorded on individual case records, but this information is not collated in central statistical databases, and is not recorded in a format suitable for publication.

Pedicabs: Road Traffic Offences

Mrs Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many pedicab riders have received cautions or arrests for the last twelve months for which records are available.

Mr Nick  Hurd: The Home Office does not hold this information centrally.

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: Carers

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has a carer's policy for its employees; and what other steps his Department has taken to support employees with caring responsibilities.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office do not employ staff directly. Staff that join do so on assignment, loan or secondment from other government departments. All staff have access to the Caring Policies provided by their parent departments. These include entitlements such as paid special leave and unpaid career breaks set out in the home department’s special leave policy; steps to encourage staff to use the carers passport provided by the Charity for Civil Servants; a carers’ network; a carers’ champion; a dedicated section of their home departments’ intranet for carers; membership of Employers for Carers; and provision of advice and counselling through the Employee Assistance Programme.

Scotland Office: Travel

Deidre Brock: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what the travel costs for his Department have been in each quarter since May 2015, by (a) mode of travel and (b) Minister or Official.

David Mundell: Holding answer received on 17 January 2018



The Scotland Office spend on domestic travel costs by mode of transport, in each quarter since May 2015 are shown in the attached annex.



Table of domestic travel costs
(Word Document, 20.05 KB)

Scotland Office: Electric Vehicles

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many vehicles in his Department's fleet are (a) electric vehicles and (b) ultra-low emission vehicles.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not have a fleet of departmental vehicles.

Telecommunications: Scotland

Jamie Stone: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on improving the provision of telecommunications services in rural Scotland.

David Mundell: I have regular discussions with both the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Minister of State for Digital to discuss a wide range of issues, including connectivity across Scotland.

Scotland Office: Food Banks

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has plans to visit a food bank in February 2018.

David Mundell: I currently have no plans to visit a food bank in my capacity as Secretary of State for Scotland in February 2018.

Northern Ireland Office

Terrorism: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of trends in the levels of recruitment to loyalist paramilitary groups in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Paramilitary groups were not justified in the past and they are not justified today. The then incumbent Secretary of State for Northern Ireland commissioned an assessment of paramilitary groups which was published in October 2015 and concluded that all the main loyalist paramilitary groups remain in existence. We continue to work with NI Executive Departments on their tackling paramilitarism programme to which the UK Government has committed £25m of funding. The NI Executive has matched this commitment. This programme involves actions aimed at long-term prevention, including supporting those who may be vulnerable to recruitment, building confidence in the justice system, tackling criminal activity and building community capacity to support transition. The Independent Reporting Commission (IRC), established by the UK and Irish governments, was legally constituted in August 2017. It will report annually on progress towards ending paramilitary activity including the implementation of the relevant measures by the UK and Irish governments and the NI Executive’s action plan. Having Northern Ireland Executive Ministers in place to provide strategic direction for this important programme of work is one of the reasons for my primary focus being on the restoration of devolved government.

Northern Ireland Government

Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he plans to convene a plenary of the five main political parties in Northern Ireland to seek a resolution to the political situation in Northern Ireland.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Northern Ireland Office Ministers will outline plans for further talks with the political parties shortly. The Government remains committed to getting devolution up and running in Northern Ireland.

State Retirement Pensions: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans the new Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has to meet women in Northern Ireland born in the 1950s and adversely affected by the equalisation of state pension entitlement; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Shailesh Vara: While I would of course consider carefully any request received to meet stakeholders in Northern Ireland, this matter has been comprehensively debated on many occasions in Parliament and the UK Government will not be making changes to its policy on the state pension age for women born in the 1950s.

Northern Ireland Office: Carers

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether her Department has a carer's policy for its employees; and what other steps her Department has taken to support employees with caring responsibilities.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The Northern Ireland Office has a range of support in place for carers through the Ministry of Justice, whose terms and conditions we follow, including dedicated Parent and Carer Support guidance outlining the support that is available. This includes a carer’s information pack and information about flexible working. The Charity for Civil Servants also provides guidance and support to carers and we encourage the use of their Carer’s Passport, which is designed to help working civil servants balance their caring responsibilities more effectively with their work commitments.

Department for International Trade

Revenue and Customs: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland Office on the number of additional HM Revenue and Customs officials required in Northern Ireland to fulfil their new functions under the Trade Bill; and if she will make a statement.

Greg Hands: Holding answer received on 17 January 2018



Territorial offices have been, and will continue to be engaged in the passage of the Trade Bill, including where this impacts on HMRC responsibilities in Northern Ireland.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Orchestras: Northern Ireland

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of whether orchestras in Northern Ireland will remain eligible for Creative Europe funding for EO-Lab ii after the UK leaves the EU.

Michael Ellis: We are considering future options with regards to Creative Europe and the terms of future participation would be subject to negotiation with the EU. The Prime Minister made clear in her speech in Florence that, where possible, we want to continue to take part in specific policies and programmes which are of joint advantage to both the UK and the EU. The UK Treasury has provided further reassurance that it will underwrite the payments of multi-annual projects selected for support while the UK is still a member of the EU even if the projects continue beyond the UK’s exit from the EU.

Radio Frequencies

Christine Jardine: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many fixed links are operating in the spectrum between 1350 MHz and 1400 MHz.

Margot James: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 17 January 2018.The correct answer should have been:

Given current use in the 1350 – 1375 MHz band it is not considered feasible to allow sharing in this band for Programme Making and Special Events. The band 1375 – 1400 MHz is used by the Ministry of Defence. Ofcom have reported that within the band 1350 – 1375 MHz there are currently 817 links. The band 1375 – 1400 MHz is used by the Ministry of Defence.

Margot James: Given current use in the 1350 – 1375 MHz band it is not considered feasible to allow sharing in this band for Programme Making and Special Events. The band 1375 – 1400 MHz is used by the Ministry of Defence. Ofcom have reported that within the band 1350 – 1375 MHz there are currently 817 links. The band 1375 – 1400 MHz is used by the Ministry of Defence.

Mobile Phones

John Lamont: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of whether mobile phone providers have met their legally binding agreement to provide a mobile phone signal to 90 per cent of the UK’s landmass by the end of 2017.

John Lamont: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how the agreement with mobile phone providers to provide a mobile phone signal to 90 per cent of the UK’s landmass by the end of 2017 will be enforced.

John Lamont: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of strengthening future license conditions for the 5G spectrum auction in order to improve telephone and data signal in remote parts of the UK.

Margot James: The regulator Ofcom is responsible for enforcing spectrum licence obligations and it is assessing whether mobile network operators have met their licence obligations that were agreed in 2014. Ofcom plans to publish its assessment in early 2018. In 2017 the Government granted Ofcom new powers to issue fines to mobile operators in the event that they do not meet their licence obligations.

Broadband: Rural Areas

John Lamont: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of rural premises in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England have access to superfast broadband.

Margot James: Ofcom's 2017 Connected Nations report includes the following percentages in figure 5, measuring superfast availability at 30Mbit/s in May 2017, showing percentage point changes from a year earlier (pp). Urban coverage, % premisesRural coverage, % premisesUK95% (↑2pp)66% (↑7pp)England95% (↑1pp)69% (↑6pp)Northern Ireland97% (↑1pp)57% (↑5pp)Scotland94% (↑4pp)56% (↑10pp)Wales96% (↑3pp)66% (↑10pp) Source: Ofcom analysis of operator data

Culture: Ellesmere Port and Neston

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the level of Government investment there was for arts and culture in Ellesmere Port & Neston constituency in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Michael Ellis: Government and National Lottery Funding has been investing in arts and culture through Arts Council England. In Ellesmere Port & Newton constituency in each of the last 10 years, this amounts to: YearGrand Total2007/08£161,6002008/09£193,4452009/10£170,5532010/11£189,0142011/12£188,1732012/13£170,0002013/14£176,5982014/15£138,4462015/16£149,3962016/17£1,482,963

Gaming Machines

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the economic effect of reducing the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) taking account of gains elsewhere in the economy from spending diverted from FOBTs.

Tracey Crouch: I refer the Rt Hon member to the answer to Parliamentary Questions 112694, 112719 and 112720 from 16th November.

Sports: Clubs

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the financial viability of amateur sports clubs involved in (a) cycling, (b) rugby and (c) football.

Tracey Crouch: DCMS is not aware of recent assessments of the financial viability of amateur sports clubs involved in cycling, rugby or football. It would be within the remit of NGBs (National Governing Bodies) to assess the financial viability of their affiliated clubs. The NGBs for cycling, rugby and football all have sections on their websites on the Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) Scheme. The scheme was introduced in April 2002 and allows local amateur sports clubs to register with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and benefit from a range of tax reliefs, including Gift Aid, where they meet qualifying conditions. A Club Survey was commissioned last year by Sport England to explore a number of issues including whether finances and funding are a cause for concern among clubs. The results are due at the end of February this year and Sport England would be happy to share the results of this survey in due course. As recommended in the government sports strategy Sporting Future, The new Sports Business Council is looking into how to maximise income potential across sport particularly in light of falling lottery receipts.